Judges, QCs raise alarm over Andrews new emergency powers

Melbourne, Australia

https://www.afr.com/companies/professional-services/judges-qcs-raise-alarm-over-new-andrews-emergency-powers-20200922-p55xyc

A powerful group of retired judges and leading QCs has written to the Andrews government expressing alarm over proposed laws giving designated officers power to arrest anyone suspected of breaching COVID-19 rules.

The COVID-19 Omnibus (Emergency Measures) and Other Acts Amendment Bill passed the lower house of Victoria's Parliament on Friday but the retired judges and QCs warn it would be "unprecedented, excessive and open to abuse".

The laws would allow the Andrews government to appoint anyone as an authorised officer with the power to arrest anyone the authorised officer reasonably believes "is likely" to breach an emergency direction.

The 14 legal figures to sign the letter include retired High Court judge Michael McHugh, former Federal Court judge Peter Heerey, QC, and fellow QCs Neil Young, Michael Borsky and Philip Crutchfield.

"We are deeply concerned by the passage of the … Bill through the Legislative Assembly," the letter provided to The Australian Financial Review reads.

"The Bill would also allow any person the Secretary considered appropriate to be authorised to exercise emergency powers," it says. Mr Borsky said the group had been contacted by other leading QCs since it's publication to ask to be added as signatories.

President of Liberty Victoria, Julian Burnside QC said "the idea that the law will allow any citizen to detain any other citizen, summarily and indefinitely, is alarming," he said.

https://twitter.com/patrickdurkin/status/1308223989949505537

Riots (Some US states) or Oppressive Dictatorship (Victoria, Australia). I'd say "take your pick", but the choice is made for you - those who have been "captured".